And when the visitors did attack, Palace keeper Wayne Hennessey was only required to make saves from Mohamed Elneny and Alexis Sanchez.

After the break, Hennessey did not even face a shot on target as Arsenal suffered a fourth straight away defeat for the first time under Wenger.

“Palace wanted it more. You could sense that from the kick-off,” Theo Walcott, Arsenal’s stand-in captain, said.

Wenger was told it was “time to go” by some Gunners fans, while others also sang ‘You’re not fit to wear the shirt’ at his players

Big Sam to avoid relegation again?

While Wenger has never led Arsenal to a finish outside the top four, opposite number Sam Allardyce has a proud record of not being relegated from the top flight.

On this evidence, Allardyce looks much likelier to maintain his achievement than his long-time adversary.

The former England manager, who has previously kept up Bolton, Blackburn, Newcastle and Sunderland, took a while to improve Palace’s fortunes after replacing Alan Pardew in December, but the Eagles are starting to reap the rewards of his methods when it matters.

Palace had too much pace, power and passion for a lifeless Gunners side.

Although Arsenal dominated possession in the first half, Palace had the better chances and deservedly led when Townsend drilled in Wilfried Zaha’s cross from the right.

Palace leaked goals under Pardew, but have discovered defensive resilience under Allardyce – leading to four clean sheets in their past six league games.

That run has coincided with the arrival of centre-back Mamadou Sakho, the loan signing from Liverpool who again led their backline with a determined and disciplined performance.

It laid the platform for Palace to go on and secure victory after the break.

Cabaye clipped Zaha’s pass into the top corner before Gunners keeper Emiliano Martinez clumsily brought down Townsend, allowing Milivojevic to confidently tuck in his first Palace goal.

“Tactically the players were aware of what had to happen to beat Arsenal,” said Allardyce.

“Arsenal have been weak defensively – they leave the centre-backs exposed.”

Allardyce told his players to get the ball out into wide areas – and they listened. Almost 75% of the home team’s attacks came down the flanks, with Townsend (left) and Zaha (right) prominent

Man of the match – Andros Townsend (Crystal Palace)

Townsend scored the opening goal, won the penalty for the third and was a constant menace to the Arsenal defence with his pace and direct running

What the managers said

Crystal Palace manager Sam Allardyce, speaking to Sky Sports: “Tactically the players were aware of how to beat Arsenal. The first thing was to defend and frustrate them, keep them playing sideways, then use the space behind the full-backs. Arsenal have been weak defensively, they leave the centre-backs exposed.

“We won a lot of possession off them and created lots of chances. Cabaye’s goal, what a finish – and that was down to us pressing them. It wasn’t a shock for me because we played Chelsea and won that game. The result might be a shock, but we did that again and did it better.

“We all know Arsenal are going through their worst spell for years, but the only way to take advantage is by playing well. Everything worked perfectly for us today.”

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, speaking to: “We lost too many duels and we paid for that. There is no obvious reason why. We prepared well. It’s difficult to explain just after the game.

“I don’t think my players didn’t want it, but we lost duels in decisive moments and that’s how games are decided at this level.

“I understand our fans are disappointed and we all are deeply tonight. It’s very worrying and disappointing the way we lost the game. Palace were sharp, they beat Chelsea the other day, and that shows they have quality.

“We are in a difficult position. The game doesn’t help.”

Arsenal’s travel sickness continues – key stats

Arsene Wenger has suffered four consecutive away Premier League defeats for the first time as Arsenal manager.

This is Arsenal’s worst away Premier League run since April 1995 (also four defeats in a row) when they were managed by Stewart Houston.

Wenger lost for the first time against Palace in 12 top-flight matches.

Arsenal conceded three goals in four consecutive away league games for the first time since September 1929.

In the past eight Premier League games, only Sunderland (six) have lost more games than Arsenal (five).

Wilfried Zaha has had a hand in five goals in his past five Premier League games (two goals, three assists).

Zaha now has nine Premier League assists for the season, matching the record held by Wayne Routledge in 2004-05.

Sam Allardyce has won three consecutive home Premier League games for the first time since he was West Ham boss in December 2014.

What’s next?

Crystal Palace will look to earn the one win Allardyce believes they need to be assured of safety when they host Leicester on Saturday. Arsenal travel to Middlesbrough next Monday in a game with significant implications at both ends of the table.